Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet battle for crucial points

Clipper 2011-12 Round the World Yacht Race fleet are on the third day of race eleven from Panama to New York. As the ten international teams competing battle with the steady Caribbean trade winds on their way through the Windward Passage, focus turns to the vital Scoring Gate points.

The fleet remains closely matched, Gold Coast Australia is in poll position while Singapore has moved up a notch overnight into second place with only four miles currently separating the two rivals. Maintaining its place in the middle of the fleet, Edinburgh Inspiring Capital skipper Flavio Zamboni says, 'Everybody is now focused on the weather conditions through the Windward Passage and what the best tactics are going to be once we get through it.'

With less than 300 miles to go to the Scoring Gate, the Clipper Race fleet is battling for the crucial additional points.

As the competition heats up in the penultimate leg of the series, the Race Committee yesterday issued the penalty points for sail repairs and equipment damage following Leg 6 with 12 points being given to just over half of the teams competing. The overall leader board is not affected, but Geraldton Western Australia took their first penalty point while Qingdao and Singapore remain the only entries without penalties so far.

To glean back points lost, the teams will be eager to employ varying strategies to re-energise their position on the overall race standings for the remaining 5,550 miles to Race Finish in Southampton on 22 July.